How did I stop using my phone?
It’s a tale as old as time: a person becomes increasingly reliant on their phone, realizes they have a problem, and takes steps to curb their addiction. But not me. No sir, I am not that person. I never stopped using my phone, and if anything, I’m more addicted to my laptop now than ever before…
It all started innocently enough. I wanted to start writing, and a friend suggested I try out Medium.com. I created an account, wrote a few articles, and before I knew it, I was spending all my free time on the site. It was like a drug — the more I wrote, the more I craved that sweet, sweet validation of seeing my claps and views go up.
But writing on Medium meant I had to be at my laptop, and that’s where things started to get out of hand. I’d wake up in the morning and check my phone for notifications, but then I’d think, “well, I should really check my stats on Medium.” And before I knew it, I was sitting in front of my laptop for hours on end, ignoring the world around me.
My phone started to feel neglected. It used to be my constant companion, always by my side, always ready to entertain me with a game or a social media scroll. But now, it just sat on my desk, untouched and unloved.
I tried to break the cycle. I’d set goals for myself — “only check Medium three times a day” or “spend an hour writing, then put the laptop away” — but it never worked. I’d tell myself I was just checking one thing, and before I knew it, an hour had gone by and my phone was still gathering dust.
In a moment of desperation, I tried to switch things up. I put my phone on the other side of the room, hoping that the physical distance would help me break the habit. But all it did was make me feel anxious and twitchy like I was missing out on something important.
And so, dear reader, I must confess: I never stopped using my phone. It’s still my constant companion, my trusty sidekick, my portal to the outside world. But now, it’s been eclipsed by the laptop, the shiny new toy that demands all my attention.
Maybe one day I’ll find a way to break the cycle. Maybe I’ll learn to write without feeling like I need to check my stats every five minutes. Or maybe I’ll just accept that I’m addicted to technology, and embrace it with open arms.
Either way, I’m off to check Medium. Again.
